The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB GAA16CA236 · Final report

Piper PA 28R accident near Lee'S Summit, Missouri, May 12, 2016

On May 12, 2016 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 1969 Piper PA 28R, registered N228NC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Lee'S Summit, Missouri (Lee'S Summit Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot's improper pitch control after the landing flare, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing, and consequent substantial left wing damage.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
May 12, 2016 · about 5:15 pm local time
Place
Lee'S Summit, Missouri · Lee'S Summit Muni · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA 28R 200, built 1969 · all PA 28Rs on the register
Registration
N228NC · registry record · serial 28R-35652
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

According to the pilot, during a Federal Aviation Administration commercial pilot practical examination, the pilot was asked to execute a simulated engine out emergency procedure, with a 180 degree turn. The pilot reported that when abeam the runway numbers he retarded the throttle to idle and turned to final. He reported that after the landing flare, the examiner told him to lower the nose, but the airplane stalled, and the airplane landed hard. He recalled that the left landing gear collapsed but the left wing did not impact the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and came to a rest in the grass safety area. The pilot reported that he did not recall whether or not the examiner grabbed the flight controls, and he does not recall the examiner telling him to abort the landing and go around. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. According to the examiner, the pilot was asked to execute a simulated engine out emergency procedure, with a 180 degree turn, and that the pilot's approach was relatively stable. He reported that he told the pilot to keep the nose down after the flare, but the airplane stalled, and landed hard. He conveyed that the events occurred so quickly that he did not have time to grab the controls. He reported that the left main landing gear collapsed, but held enough of a load to prevent the airplane wing from striking the ground. The airplane exited the runway to the left, and came to a stop in the grass safety area without further incident. Both pilots reported that there were not any pre-accident mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
  2. Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
  3. Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
  • cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
  • Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 1,704 hours in all; 16 in this make and model
  • Last flight review: May 12, 2016
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

Pilot (unmanned)

  • Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 1,600 hours in all; 300 in this make and model
  • Last flight review: June 30, 2016
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, April 18, 2016
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
  • Operator: Ial CORP

The flight

  • Departed from: LXT Lee'S Summit MO at 3:00 pm
  • Destination: LXT Lee'S Summit MO
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 36, 4,016 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 320° at 13 knots, gusting 21
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
  • Observation at 4:53 pm from KLXT

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

4 documents, released by the NTSB on September 26, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.